Device And Method For Dispersing At Least One Substance In A Fluid

Abstract

A device and a method for dispersing at least one substance in a fluid is disclosed. The device includes a process housing with a rotor, a fluid supply, a feed line for the at least one substance to be dispersed having at least one outlet opening, as well as a product outlet. The rotor brings about an axial delivery of a supplied fluid at least in some sections. Furthermore, the rotor brings about a radial delivery of the supplied fluid at least in some sections.

Claims

1. A device for dispersing at least one substance in a fluid comprising a process housing with a rotor, a fluid supply, a feed line for the at least one substance to be dispersed having at least an outlet opening, as well as a product outlet, wherein an axial delivery of a supplied fluid can be generated by the rotor at least in some sections and wherein a radial delivery of the supplied fluid can be generated by the rotor at least in some sections.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the rotor includes at least one first means for generating the axial delivery at least in some sections and wherein the rotor includes at least one second means for generating the radial delivery at least in some sections.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the feed line for the substance to be dispersed is surrounded at least in some sections by the rotor and wherein the at least one outlet opening is arranged in a region of the rotor in which the fluid can be delivered axially.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the rotor includes guide structures for generating an axial delivery effect and wherein a radial delivery effect can be generated by a widening of a rotor cross-section and/or by a rotation of the rotor.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the guide structures are constituted on the side of the rotor facing the feed line for the substance to be dispersed and wherein at least one of the guide structures is extended beyond a solid core of the rotor axially in the direction of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed, in particular wherein the at least one outlet opening of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed is surrounded by the at least one extended guide structure at least in some sections.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the number of the extended guide structures is variable in relation to the number of the total guide structures.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the feed line for the substance to be dispersed has a first longitudinal axis and wherein the rotor is mounted rotatably about a rotational axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed and the rotational axis of the rotor are aligned coaxial or parallel and wherein an outlet opening of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed is arranged aligned with the longitudinal axis of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed and the rotational axis of the rotor or wherein the longitudinal axis of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed and the rotational axis of the rotor are arranged at a defined angle with respect to one another.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid supply is arranged largely orthogonal to the feed line for the substance to be dispersed or wherein the fluid supply is arranged at an angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees with respect to the feed line for the for the substance to be dispersed.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the fluid supply has a second longitudinal axis, which is arranged orthogonal or at an angle to the first longitudinal axis of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed and wherein the fluid supply is arranged spaced apart from the rotor, so that introduced fluid flows at least in some sections around the feed line for the substance to be dispersed.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the fluid can be conveyed outwards from the middle of the rotor by the guide structures of the rotor and the centrifugal forces occurring during the rotation of the rotor.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the feed line for the substance to be dispersed is adjustable, in particular wherein the feed line for the substance to be dispersed can be displaced parallel to the rotational axis of the rotor.

12. The device according to claim 5, wherein the insertion depth of an end region of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed, in particular the insertion depth of an end region including the at least one outlet opening, can be adjusted in the extended guide structures of the rotor.

13. The device according to any claim 5, wherein a radial spacing is constituted between the extended guide structures of the rotor and the feed line for the substance to be dispersed, in particular a radial spacing between 0.1 mm and 10 mm.

14. A method for dispersing at least one substance in a fluid, in particular in liquid, by means of a device including a process housing with rotor, a fluid supply, a feed line for the at least one substance to be dispersed having at least an outlet opening, as well as a product outlet, wherein the rotor brings about an axial delivery of a supplied fluid at least in some sections and wherein the rotor brings about a radial delivery of the supplied fluid at least in some sections.

15. The method for dispersing at least one substance in a fluid according to claim 14 with a device having a process housing with a rotor, a fluid supply, a feed line for the at least one substance to be dispersed having at least an outlet opening, as well as a product outlet, wherein an axial delivery of a supplied fluid can be generated by the rotor at least in some sections and wherein a radial delivery of the supplied fluid can be generated by the rotor at least in some sections.

16. The device according to claim 2, wherein the feed line for the substance to be dispersed is surrounded at least in some sections by the rotor and wherein the at least one outlet opening is arranged in a region of the rotor in which the fluid can be delivered axially.

17. The device according to claim 6, wherein the feed line for the substance to be dispersed has a first longitudinal axis and wherein the rotor is mounted rotatably about a rotational axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed and the rotational axis of the rotor are aligned coaxial or parallel and wherein an outlet opening of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed is arranged aligned with the longitudinal axis of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed and the rotational axis of the rotor or wherein the longitudinal axis of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed and the rotational axis of the rotor are arranged at a defined angle with respect to one another.

18. The device according to claim 8, wherein the fluid supply has a second longitudinal axis, which is arranged orthogonal or at an angle to the first longitudinal axis of the feed line for the substance to be dispersed and wherein the fluid supply is arranged spaced apart from the rotor, so that introduced fluid flows at least in some sections around the feed line for the substance to be dispersed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Examples of embodiment are intended to explain the invention and its advantages in greater detail below with the aid of the appended figures. The size ratios of the individual elements with respect to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some forms are represented simplified and other forms are represented enlarged in relation to other elements for the sake of better illustration.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic cross-section of a dispersion device according to the invention.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of a dispersion device according to the invention.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a perspective representation of a process housing of a dispersion device.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional representation of a further embodiment of a process housing in a lateral representation.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a perspective representation of a rotor with a bearing.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a rotor with a bearing.

[0053] FIG. 7 represents a first operating mode.

[0054] FIG. 8 represents a second operating mode.

[0055] FIG. 9 shows a lateral representation of a further embodiment of a dispersion device according to the invention.

[0056] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional representation through a lateral representation of an embodiment of an inventive dispersion device according to FIG. 9.

[0057] FIG. 11 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional representation of the process housing of the embodiment according to FIG. 9.

[0058] FIG. 12 shows a detail from FIG. 11.

[0059] FIG. 13 shows a perspective representation of the process housing of the dispersion device according to FIG. 9.

[0060] FIG. 14 shows a perspective representation of a rotor with a bearing of the embodiment according to FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Identical reference numbers are used for identical or identically acting elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numbers that are required for the description of the given figure are represented in the individual figures. The represented embodiments only represent examples as to how the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be constituted and do not represent a conclusive limitation.

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic cross-section of a dispersion device 1 according to the invention and FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of a dispersion device 1 according to the invention. Dispersion device 1 is used in particular to disperse a powdery substance P in a fluid F, in particular a liquid, and thus to produce a dispersion D. Dispersion device 1 comprises a drive motor (not represented), a bearing 9, in which drive shaft 2 is mounted, and a coupling lantern with an internal shaft coupling and a drive motor (not represented) for the power transmission from the motor shaft to drive shaft 2. Drive shaft 2 serves to drive rotor 3. Furthermore, dispersion device 1 comprises a rotating bearing of drive shaft 2, which is passed through a slip-ring seal 4 into process housing 5.

[0063] A rotor 3 and a product outlet 8 for discharging the product, in particular dispersion D, are arranged in process housing 5 in which the dispersion takes place. A feed line for powdery substance P to be dispersed, in particular a powder supply 6 for supplying powder P, and also a fluid supply 7 for supplying fluid F, is assigned to process housing 5 (see FIG. 2).

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a perspective representation and FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional representation of a process housing 5 with powder supply 6, fluid supply 7 and product outlet 8. FIGS. 5 and 6 show different representations of an embodiment of rotor 3.

[0065] Rotor 3 is rotatable about a rotational axis R and comprises a solid rotor core 10. Rotor 3 has a cross-sectional area Q, which increases towards the drive side at least in some sections. In other words, cross-sectional area Q of rotor 3 diminishes in the direction of powder supply 6. In particular, rotor 3 comprises, in a region adjacent to powder supply 6, a first cross-sectional area Q1, which is smaller than a second cross-sectional area Q2 in a region of rotor 3 close to the drive (see in particular FIG. 4).

[0066] Guide structures 11, which bring about a directed guidance of fluid F and respectively powder P, are arranged on rotor core 10. Each guide structure 11 essentially comprises two partial regions 12, 13, wherein first partial region 12 is arranged on and fastened to solid rotor core 10 and wherein second partial region 13 represents an axial extension 14 of guide structure 11 beyond solid rotor core 10. In particular, guide structures 11 are inclined in the axial direction in the region of extension 14, in order that they convey in particular axially. In contrast, guide structures 11 in first partial region 12 are additionally curved backwards in order to achieve a high outlet pressure and a good delivery effect.

[0067] Extensions 14 of the guide structures 11 are recessed in the region of rotational axis R of rotor 3 and form an axial opening 15. This opening 15 serves in particular as an accommodation 16 for an end region 20 of powder supply 6 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). In particular, the at least one powder outlet opening 21 of powder supply 6 is surrounded by guide structures 11 of rotor 3 inside accommodation 16 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). When rotor 3 rotates about rotational axis R, centrifugal forces arise, which have the effect of conveying fluid F outwards and thus of keeping it away from powder outlet opening 21. A penetration of fluid F into powder supply 6 can thus be effectively prevented.

[0068] In particular, insertion region EB (see FIGS. 1 and 4), in which powder supply 6 is inserted into rotor 3 at least in some sections, corresponds in particular to insertion region EB, in which powder supply 6 is inserted into extensions 14 of the guide structures of rotor 3, and therefore also to outlet region AB, in which powder P exits from the at least one powder outlet opening 21 of powder supply 6 and passes in particular into fluid F.

[0069] Rotor 3 is preferably formed such that, already in the region around end region 20 of powder supply 6, an axial delivery effect of fluid F in the direction of solid rotor core 10 or in the direction of product outlet 8 is achieved. This axial delivery transforms with an increasing diameter of rotor 3, i.e. with increasing cross-sectional area Q of rotor 3 in the direction of product outlet 8, into a radial delivery effect, up to a region in which fluid F is now delivered solely radially. In addition to the axial and radial delivery effect, fluid F is caused to rotate due to the rotation of rotor 3 about rotational axis R.

[0070] Powder supply 6 can be closed in end region 20 and can comprise lateral openings as powder outlet openings 21, via which an exit of the powder from powder supply 6 preferably takes place in the radial direction.

[0071] Provision can be made such that powder supply 6 can be displaced axially along a longitudinal axis L6. Longitudinal axis L6 can preferably be aligned coaxial or parallel with rotational axis R of rotor 2. In particular, the depth to which end region 20 of powder supply 6 is inserted into extensions 14 of guide structures 11 can be adjusted by the axial displacement of powder supply 6. A spacing is constituted in the radial direction between extensions 14 of guide structures 11 and powder supply 6. This spacing ensures in particular an undisrupted rotation of rotor 3 about powder supply 6 and also enables the unhindered exit of powder P from the at least one powder outlet opening 21. The radial spacing between extensions 14 of guide structures 11 and powder supply 6 preferably amounts to between 0.1 mm and 10 mm. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the spacing is matched in particular to the size of the overall device and/or to the substances and/or products to be processed.

[0072] Furthermore, a gap S in the axial direction is present between powder supply 6 and solid rotor core 10, through which gap powder P supplied via powder supply 6 passes radially into fluid F.

[0073] A spacing A between rotor 3 and process housing 5 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) amounts to between 0.1 mm and 10 mm. The smaller the spacing A, the higher the shearing forces acting inside fluid F, which can promote the dispersing action.

[0074] Powder supply 6 can have an enlarged outer diameter in end region 20, in particular in the region of the at least one powder outlet opening 21. The increased diameter serves as an additional deflecting element, which additionally prevents a penetration of fluid F into the region of powder outlet opening 21.

[0075] The supply of fluid F, of powder P or of product suspension or dispersion D takes place via relatively large pipe cross-sections of powder supply 6 and fluid supply 7. Flow resistances in particular are thus kept small and products up to average viscosities can also be processed without a pump. If for example a product is conveyed in a circuit in order to add powder P gradually until the desired final concentration is reached, the addition of the product already containing powder then usually takes place via the feed line of fluid supply 7.

[0076] In order to be able to process products with different viscosities in the optimum manner in each case, a valve or suchlike can be incorporated at the product inlet of fluid supply 7 in order to slow down the through-flow for products with low viscosities (not represented).

[0077] In the case of dispersion device 1 according to the invention, the supply of fluid F can take place with or without a pump depending on the given fluid F or circulating dispersion product D.

[0078] Fluid F enters in the product inlet of fluid supply 7 into process housing 5, is taken up by rotating rotor 3 and accelerated in the axial and radial direction. A pumping effect thus occurs, which pumps fluid F through product outlet 8 back into a container (not represented). An underpressure thus arises in process housing 5. As soon as powder supply 6, usually regulated by a valve (not represented), is opened, a suction effect occurs on account of the underpressure in process housing 5. Powder P is sucked in the direction of rotor 3. Powder P exits out of powder supply 6 via the at least one powder outlet opening 21 and passes radially into fluid F. Dispersion D thus arising is removed from process housing 5 via product outlet 8 by means of rotor 3. As a result of the narrow gap between guide structures 11 and powder supply 6, the fluid is prevented by centrifugal forces from flowing into powder supply 6.

[0079] The valves on fluid supply 7 and on powder supply 6 are intended in particular either to completely open or completely close the supply, in order to prevent flooding of dispersion device 1.

[0080] Dispersion device 1 according to the invention can be used without additional machines. Only a product or batching container (not represented) or a suitable powder feeding system (not represented) is required. Conventionally known systems are suitable as a powder feeding system, for example a suction lance, a bag feeding station, a BigBag feeding station, a silo or suchlike. By means of dispersion device 1, powder P can be sucked into and finely dispersed in fluids F, in particular in liquids.

[0081] FIG. 7 represents a first operating mode AM1 and FIG. 8 represents a second operating mode AM2. In first operating mode AM1 according to FIG. 7, powder supply 6 is opened. In particular, a valve (not represented) regulating powder supply 6 is opened. In this first operating mode AM1, fluid F or dispersion product D comprising powder P dispersed in fluid F circulates between a product or batching container and dispersion device 1 (in FIGS. 7 and 8, only process housing 5 with supply and discharge lines 6, 7, 8 is represented in each case), wherein powder P is continuously supplied, in particular sucked in, via powder supply 6. The powder feed can take place for example by means of a funnel, a BigBag station, a silo, a suction lance or suchlike.

[0082] In a second operating mode AM2 according to FIG. 8, powder supply 6 is closed by means of a valve (not represented). Instead, dispersion product D continuously circulates between the product or batching container and process housing 5 of dispersion device 1. A strong underpressure arises in process housing 5, which leads to (micro-)cavitation inside dispersion D. Furthermore, dispersion product D, i.e. powder P dispersed in fluid F, is subjected to a shearing effect between guide structures 11 and process housing 5 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). In order to achieve a higher pressure and a longer dwell time of dispersion product D or powder P dispersed in fluid F in process housing 5, a further valve (not represented) can be arranged at product outlet 8, or the product flow is slowed down with a suitable pipeline. These measures or effects have a favourable effect on the dispersion quality.

[0083] FIG. 9 shows a lateral representation of a further embodiment of a dispersion device 1 according to the invention. FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional representation through dispersion device 1 according to FIG. 9. FIG. 11 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional representation and FIG. 13 shows a perspective representation of the process housing of the embodiment according to FIG. 9. FIG. 12 represents a detail from FIG. 11 and FIG. 14 shows a perspective representation of a rotor with a bearing of the embodiment of dispersion device 1 according to FIG. 9. Identical components are provided with the same reference numbers as in FIGS. 1 to 8, to the description whereof reference is hereby made.

[0084] Dispersion device 1 comprises a drive motor (not represented), a bearing 9, in which drive shaft 2 is mounted, and a coupling lantern with an internal shaft coupling. Dispersion device 1 also comprises a drive motor (not represented) for the power transmission from the motor shaft to drive shaft 2, which is used to drive rotor 3. A rotating bearing of drive shaft 2 is also provided, which is passed through a slip-ring seal 4 into a process housing 5. A rotor 3 and a product outlet 8 for discharging the product, in particular dispersion D, are arranged in process housing 5, in which the dispersion of a powdery substance P into a fluid F takes place. A feed line for powdery substance P to be dispersed is also assigned to process housing 5, in particular a powder supply 6*, and also a fluid supply 7* for supplying fluid F.

[0085] In contrast with the embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 to 8, longitudinal axis L6* of powder supply 6* is arranged at an angle to rotational axis R of rotor 3 in the embodiment represented in FIGS. 9 to 14. In particular, powdery substance P is thus fed to rotor 3 obliquely from top to bottom. Powder supply 6* ends in an analogous manner to powder supply 6 according to FIGS. 1 and 4 in the centre of rotor 3, in particular end region 20 of powder supply 6* with powder outlet opening 21 being inserted between axial extensions 14* of guide structures 11 of rotor 3. Analogous to guide structures 11 described in detail in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6, extensions 14* of guide structures 11 are also recessed in the region of rotational axis R of rotor 3 and form an axial opening 15*. This opening 15* serves in particular as an accommodation 16* for an end region 20 of powder supply 6* (see in particular FIGS. 12 and 14). In particular, the at least one powder outlet opening 21 of powder supply 6* is surrounded inside accommodation 16* by extensions 14* of guide structures 11 of rotor 3 (see FIGS. 10 to 12). When rotor 3 rotates about rotational axis R, centrifugal forces arise, the effect whereof is that fluid F is conveyed outwards and thus kept away from powder outlet opening 21. A penetration of fluid F into powder supply 6* can thus be effectively prevented.

[0086] In particular, insertion region EB, in which powder supply 6* is inserted into rotor 3 at least in some sections, corresponds in particular to insertion region EB, in which powder supply 6* is inserted into extensions 14* of guide structures 11 of rotor 3, and therefore also to outlet region AB, in which powder P exits from the at least one powder outlet opening 21 of powder supply 6* and passes in particular into fluid F.

[0087] Likewise in this embodiment, powdery substance P is thus fed in the centre of rotor 3, as can clearly be seen particularly in the enlarged detail representation of FIG. 12. Rotor blades or guide structures 11 surround end region 20 of powder supply 6* and thus effectively prevent fluid F from getting into powder supply 6*. Fluid F is centrifuged outwards by guide structures 11, in particular by first partial region 12 of guide structures 11. The special embodiment of powder supply 6* inserted into rotor blades or guide structures 11 thus forms a dynamic barrier between powdery substance P and fluid F.

[0088] End region 20 of powder supply 6* can be cut away in insertion region EB, in which it is inserted into rotor 3, in such a way that end region 20 forms a face perpendicular to rotational axis R of rotor 3. Alternatively, end region 20 can be cut away at an arbitrary angle with respect to longitudinal axis L6* of powder supply 6*.

[0089] Angle , at which powder supply 6* is arranged with respect to rotational axis R of rotor 3, can amount to between 0 up to 90. The spacing of powder supply 6* from rotor 3 can amount arbitrarily to between 0.5 mm and 100 mm. The overlap of the rotor blades or the overlap of extensions 14* of guide structures 11 over powder supply 6*, in particular the surrounding of powder supply 6* by extensions 14* of guide structures 11, can amount preferably to between 1 mm and 100 mm.

[0090] Due to the angular entry of powder supply 6* into axial opening 15* or accommodation 16* between axial extensions 14* of guide structures 11, the recess between extensions 14*, which form opening 15* or accommodation 16*, is constituted opened in order to enable unhindered rotation of rotor 3 (see FIG. 12). A first spacing A1 between powder supply 6* and extensions 14* thus arises in the lower region and a second spacing A2 between powder supply 6* and extensions 14* thus arises in the upper region. First spacing A1 is greater than second spacing A2. Larger first spacing A1 in the lower region is however unproblematic, since no fluid F flows from below into powder supply 6*.

[0091] Particularly when dispersion device 1 is at a standstill, this embodiment has proved to be advantageous if residual fluid still happens to the present in the latter. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 7, a flow of residual fluid into powder supply 6 can occur in exceptional cases in the rest state, which can then lead to sticking of powdery substance P inside powder supply 6.

[0092] In an embodiment with an inlet geometry of powder supply 6* between extensions 14* of guide structures 11 of rotor 3, as represented and described according to FIGS. 9 to 14, this residue risk is completely eliminated. Even when dispersion device 1 is in the state when switched off, an undesired flow of fluid F into powder supply 6* does not occur with this embodiment.

[0093] The invention has been described by reference to a preferred embodiment. A person skilled in the art can however imagine that modifications or changes to the invention can be made without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.